There are only 3 options for the Dallas Cowboys when it comes to potentially fixing their terrible defense

One of three things needs to happen with the Dallas Cowboys' defense following the team's Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

We'll get to the options in a moment, but right now, what is painfully clear is this can't continue. The Cowboys can't stop anyone. You want to throw at them? You'll find wide-open receivers, even when they drop eight in coverage. You prefer to cruise through the ground? You'll be met with no resistance. Lanes will be wide, tackles will be missed, and angles will be poorly taken.

Rico Dowdle was unstoppable on Sunday with 183 rushing yards. Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan — who entered the game seeking his first career touchdown — found the end zone twice. Bryce Young was sacked once and hit only five times.

Something has to change if they want to become a playoff team. The Cowboys will otherwise waste an elite offense. In my view, three options are moving forward.

• Make a splash trade: The Cowboys don't need to fix the defense entirely. They need to improve it, though. A linebacker addition could be the route they take. Maybe target Cleveland Browns LB Devin Bush or Baltimore Ravens' Roquan Smith if they want to get really aggressive. Perhaps a defensive end, if they prefer to improve the edges of the D-line. But the talent is a problem.
• Fire Matt Eberflus: I'll be honest. I'm not sure this would fix anything. But I also wonder if the coach loses the players' confidence after the unit looks like the league's worst six weeks into the season. Some spice wouldn't hurt either. It feels like the Cowboys don't manufacture pressure or turnovers. That falls on the coach at some point.
• Give up, I guess? If the Cowboys don't do anything to solve this issue, then it's all about aiming for perfection on offense. Maybe if the Cowboys score one more time in the red zone, the result is different. The same could be said about the couple of three-and-outs Dallas had in the game. But I've watched enough NFL to confidently tell you: Aiming for perfect is a fool's errand at this level. Opponents are too good for that.

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